Watertown City Council to Weigh New Ambulance Billing Contract for Watertown Fire Rescue
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council meets tonight, and one of the most consequential items on the agenda involves a major change to how the city handles ambulance billing for Watertown Fire Rescue.
Council members will consider authorizing City Manager Alan Stager to execute a new billing services agreement with PCC Billing, a Castlewood‑based firm that specializes in ambulance revenue collection. According to the agenda document, the move comes after the city’s current vendor, EMS/MC, showed
“inadequate ambulance revenue collections over the past two years.”
City staff say PCC Billing has a strong regional reputation, noting
“positive feedback and performance information shared by other ambulance providers throughout the region.”
Key Details of the Proposed Agreement
· Effective Date: October 1, 2026
· Base Fee: Watertown Fire Rescue would pay PCC 5.75% of net collections per month for all ambulance billing services.
· Term: Three‑year initial contract, with automatic two‑year renewals unless either party gives 90‑day notice.
· Scope: PCC becomes the exclusive provider of billing services, handling claim submission, patient statements, payer communication, and accounts receivable management.
· Additional Fees: Optional enrollment services (Medicare, Medicaid, BCBS, commercial insurance) and hourly charges if the city submits incomplete or incorrect billing data.
· Termination: PCC may terminate the agreement if the city fails to pay undisputed invoices within 10 days of notice.
The agreement also includes a detailed Business Associate Agreement governing HIPAA compliance, data security, and confidentiality requirements.
